Formerly common and widespread on waterways everywhere. Declined throughout the 20th century and a further sharp decline occurred from about 1980, due at least in part to mink predation. A Derbyshire Wildlife Trust survey 1997-1999 showed that around 45% of historical sites in the county had been lost, but also revealed a large number of new sites, including many small populations on the Peak District moors where they have been shown to occur up to 571m (Perkins & Mallon 1999).

Subsequent and ongoing survey work shows a similar pattern of known sites lost and smaller numbers of new sites discovered, but the overall trend is downwards and further spread of mink is likely to pose a threat. Water voles are currently more or less completely absent from the Goyt catchment in the NW and much of the Trent in the S but present elsewhere in varying numbers.

A programme of monitoring, surveying and provision of advice to landowners is co-ordinated by DWT's Water Vole officer. Water vole remains have been commonly found in excavations of barrows and other sites.

Species identification information

Distribution map available soon